I was really thinking about sending our baby to nursery when I go back to work later this year. I was sold nursery by lots of friends saying how good it is for the babies to socialise, make friends, play etc. However, I don't need to send baby. I have child care available and I'll be working part time. Also my husband's shifts mean that there would be times he would be available to have the baby while I'm in work and we'd still be paying for nursery on those days. We all know how expensive it is.
Having visited some nurseries, I am really rethinking it. I felt that the young babies, even with a 1:3 ratio with staff, were still left to just play/sit alone and wander/crawl around. They weren't mistreated by any means but it's really thrown me as to why I'd want to pay for this when baby could have 1:1 care, nurturing and even education building at home with family. I'm thinking maybe nursery would be something i'd like for baby further down the line when a bit older to actually understand what's going on and I may need it more if I increase days etc. I do take baby to playgroups which I would continue to do.
I'm panicking if I'm making an emotional decision and not putting them first if it would be beneficial so looking for some advice really on whether I'm really way off the mark here. It's hard to have friends almost make me feel bad for feeling this way because nursery has been a success for them but I'm not really seeing the full benefit for babies so young when the help isn't needed. I'm hoping this makes sense as I totally see the need for it where parents both have to return to work and don't have the care available
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Nurseries
Reconsidering nursery
justthethreeofusx · 09/04/2024 22:20
Copperoliverbear · 10/04/2024 07:26
@Hellenbach could you just tell me as a matter of interest would you choose a nursery or a childminder if you had to. ( just asking because of your background,) sorry for jumping in on the thread @justthethreeofusx
I'm just curious x
RubyTuesday10 · 10/04/2024 07:39
I have worked in nurseries where there is a baby room, keep your child at home if you can. Your baby needs one to one care from someone who adores him/her - their early brain development will be helped by that. Nursery workers will provide the basics of care but they won’t get the levels of love, interaction and joy they would get from a parent.
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